Strict action against train passengers travelling on roof tops

Government said strict measures are being initiated to stop train passengers from travelling on roof tops and ruled out giving financial aid to families of the victims killed or injured while travelling in this fashion.

Government on Friday said strict measures are being initiated to stop train passengers from travelling on roof tops and ruled out giving financial aid to families of the victims killed or injured while travelling in this fashion.

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Railways have instructed RPF to conduct frequent drives and asked supervisory staff to carry out surprise checks as part of several strict measures initiated, Minister of State for Railways R Velu said in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha.

He said actions would be taken against roof travellers under section 156 of the Railway Act.

The Minister said financial aid is not permissible to the dependents of those dead and injured in such accidents as travelling on roof top is unauthorised and punishable offence under the Railways Act.

He said security personnel have been advised to be more vigilant to prevent such incidents in future. Escorting staff are also being briefed regularly to check such incidents during train escorting duty.

On January 19, three passengers were killed and 28 were injured while travelling on the roof of the Sarya Express between Pratapgarh and Sultanpur section under Lucknow division of Northern Railway.